Waterborne pigmented finishes

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I have a good sized cabinet job coming up that calls for a low sheen white finish. I would prefer using a water based product but looking for some feedback. I have sprayed both Target and Agualente finishes in pigmented with better results from the Agualente but wonder if there's anything that might be a little better. SW has their Kem-aqua, and there are others but interested in opinions and what you like or dislike. I plan on shooting some test panels using my CA H20 aaa unit.
Also, do any of you topcoat with a clear such as Target's 9000 or just use the pigmented for final coat?

I have used only waterborne for about 10 yrs. MLC Agualente and ValSpar Zenith.

I like the Zenith better. Especially the under Coat. Much easier to use.
If your using the CA Waterborne AAA (I use it with a bobcat Gun), Follow the recommendations MLC and CA Tech give for the settings. Thin as much as you can get away with (40 with #4 Ford cup).

If you use the 409F tip (their recommendation) it clogs very easy. watch and clean often. If you use the 411F, watch the fluid flow.

I use the 409F and set the fluid at 20. The air to tip at 16. Go from their.

Micro bubbles are unavoidable, so I use a retarder to reduce. Helps with the bubble pops. In fact I do not use moving air to help dry like MLC and CA Tech advise. Drys too fast.

One last thing comes to mind. When CA Tech shipped my AAA, they did not ship with a Stainless Steel fitting Fluid Supply hose. The fittings rusted almost immediately.

JP,
Thanks for the response. Do you do a clear over the Zenith or is it pretty durable on it's own? Any crosslinker to add? My CA rep gave me a small screen the other day that he says they have come out with that goes in the bobcat gun right behind the tip that is supposed to greatly reduce the micro bubbles. Have you tried one of these? I haven't had a chance to myself yet. The micro bubbles were the biggest problem with the Target finish although not as bad if I didn't add the optional crosslinker.

I do not use a clear finish as a topcoat. So far it's been great. I'm using the 409F tip. It's for waterborne and has a pre-atomizer. It doesn't look like a screen though. It looks like a mini bullet casing with a tiny hole in it. It goes in the tip under the white ring. Is this what you were talking about?

Different people will obviously have different opinions. We tried the Zenith and it was the thinnest and worst performing finish that we have tried and over the past 2 decades we sprayed most of them.

The Aqualente is a good product and we have used a lot of it. Currently I feel that the General Finishes Poly is a very solid product that ha great build, chemical resistance, sag resistance and appearance.

The best finishes that we have ever used were from a company North of Duluth Mn called Van Technologies. The owner is a Chemist and has an amazing mind when it comes to WB coatings and how they work It would be great to see him get crowd funded and become a major player because his product line and knowledge are second to none.

That being said, General Finishes has the most comprehensive line of domestic WB finishes IMHO in that price point and only imports like ICA have a wider offering and are much more costly.Becker Acroma is also outstanding but premium priced.

JP,
After looking closer, I think that is what he gave me, but haven't tried it yet.

Denny,
Do you see issues with micro bubbles with the General product? I have tried some of their stain but nothing else. I would have to buy by internet as no dealer in our area. So far, MLC and SW are both locally available, with Mohawk also a possability. The Kem-aqua is another product I was thinking of trying.

I build furniture and have used SW Kem-Aqua and it is very nice to use. I've used the pigmented version on some display cabinets. It goes on very nice and is extremely tough. Almost to the point where it is hard to scuff between coats.

Interesting takes on various finishes. We had used Hood finishing's w. b. urethane for several years. Great on maple & cherry, horrible on oak/ash. The most durable finish we've ever used. No tech support though. Switched to SW Kem-Agua. for several years. worked OK & had local support. Always did a wash coat, stain, and two tops. Had some complaints about durability. Went to MLC Agualente, lays down nicely and have gone to 3 top coats for better durability. Have been considering using their crosslinker additive. Anyone using it? Results?

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